The sister of a Co Antrim man who took his own life last year has spoken out in hope that it may help another family in turmoil.
Tanya Morgan lost her brother Ryan to suicide on September 19, 2022. He had battled for years with an addiction to crack cocaine, which saw his spiral into depression when he couldn't get hold of the drug.
Speaking to Belfast Live, Tanya said her brother was loving, and family orientated, but things changed because of his illness.
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"Ryan died when he was 34 but from the age of 32 he started with addiction," she added.
"That led him to have serious mental health problems. In the last year of his life, he had about five attempts at suicide. I want to raise awareness for this, he had an overdose and was taken to hospital by ambulance. I cannot talk badly about the mental health team, because they have done a lot to help me, but Ryan went to A&E and when he said he was fine, he was back out again.
"To me, I think that approach is wrong because if someone has made an attempt on their life, they should be kept in and helped. Ryan was found four times previously, and took to A&E. At one point, someone had to actually talk him down from a cliff.
"But Ryan again said he was fine, and he went home again. He would have told them he was ok, but he wasn't. I think that system needs to be changed. If you have an attempt of your life, and so many times, you need to be kept safe. Ryan would have said absolutely anything to get out of that hospital, and to get his next fix.
"We also got Ryan into rehab for a two week programme, but you could have walked out freely at any point. I think that you should have to stay, whenever you sign that contract. Ryan walked out after two days, he ran away from it.
"Ryan took his own life on November 19, 2022, a day that changed our lives forever. He was addicted to crack cocaine. Whenever he didn't have it, he would have gone into depressive states. The drugs are so easy to get on the streets nowadays, we know that. Ryan wasn't sober when he went up there that day.
"There is myself, Ryan and then our younger sister. Ryan was so family orientated and just loved his children. He was a really talented snooker player and won loads of trophies. Whenever addiction got the hold of him, that all stopped."
Tanya is now hoping that by speaking out about her brother's trouble, she may be able to show other's that it is ok to talk about problem you are going through, no matter how big or small.
"I do think that if he had of been kept in, after those suicide attempts, he may have been still here today. I want to speak out, and raise awareness because men's mental health is a huge issue, and it is so hard for men to speak up.
"If by me speaking up can just help one person, maybe save a life, that is why I am doing it. We do not want another family to go through what we have gone through.
"We have all been left with a life sentence and so many unanswered questions. There are three children left behind with no answers. Nothing."
Anyone who needs to talk to someone about mental health issues can call the Samaritans on 116123 or Lifeline on 0808 808 8000.
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